Last week on The Establishing Shot: Tinker Tailor Exclusive! Title of Tinker Tailor sequel confirmed and decoding Tinker Tailor with the film’s makers, Titanic 3D Footage and QA session with Producer Jon Landau, Goon Review, Troll Hunter is on DVD & Blu-ray TODAY! Celebrate by entering our competition, UK Top 10 Films, This weeks Film Releases, The Darkest Hour (3D), War Horse, Tatsumi, Shame, A Useful Life, BFI London Film Festival films on release in January, Boca (Boca do Lixo), Patience (After Sebald), Win Tickets To The Worldwide Premiere Of The Woman In Black, Universal Pictures Celebrates 100 Years Of Movie Memories With Yearlong Centennial Celebration, Summer In February Starts Principal Photography On Sunday 15th January On Location In Cornwall, Paramount And Cirque Du Soleil To Partner On "Cirque Du Soleil Worlds Away", Written And Directed By Andrew Adamson, And Presented By James Cameron, Star Trek: The Next Generation® – The Next Level Blu-ray Disc™ will be beamed up on 30th January 2012, Winning Ghost Story Announced For The Woman In Black YouTube Competition, Miss England Runner Up, Amy Jackson, makes Bollywood debut in Oscar winner A.R. Rahman's Musical 'Ekk Deewana, Troll Hunter shortlisted on the BAFTA Longlist, BAFTA Film Awards Longlist Released, Film Making Competitions, Sundance London Short Film Competition, Short Cuts Returns…In 2012, Film School, Power To The Pixel Announces The Pixel Lab 2012, BOND IN MOTION opens this week, Blood Car screening, Powder, Prometheus Trailer, Liquid Swords – GZA, 3D Sex & Zen: Extreme Ecstasy, Troll Hunter, Arrietty, Life, Above All, Too Fat For 40, Cine Asia Presents Hong Kong Legends Bruce Lee, The Big Boss 2, Game of Death, Game of Death 2, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Drive, Yamada: Way Of The Samurai, Four Flies On Grey Velvet, Sasha, Perfect Sense

Last week on The Establishing Shot:Last week was all about heading to the cinema or chasing down and watching check & review discs so we could finalise our top films of 2011 list. I could have gone live with it a while back felt that I missed too many films last year. So The Establishing Shot’s Top Films of 2011 will be up soon. (War Horse - great. Melancholia - disappointing, A Separation - Only half way through :(.) As well as reacquainting ourselves with the magic of the Weitz Brother’s About a Boy. What an absolutely wonderful film and surely the pinnacle of Hugh Grant's career. We also had a chance to watch Yamada: Way Of The Samurai and our full review will be up soon.

We were also fortunate enough to go along to two outstanding and intimate discussions with filmmakers last week:

The Establishing Shot: Tinker Tailor Exclusive! Title of Tinker Tailor sequel confirmed and decoding Tinker Tailor with the film’s makersEarlier in the week we went along to hear the team behind the sublime Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy talk about making the film after a screening of the film. The QA session hosted by Anwar Brett with Production Designer Maria Djurkovic, Writer Peter Straughan and Producers Robyn Slovo & Tim Bevan as incredibly informative and goes some of the way the way to peeling back the layers of mystery behind Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Titanic 3D Footage and QA session with Producer Jon LandauDuring the middle of the week we went along to see 8 clips from Titanic 3D and hear Producer Jon Landau talk about a broad range range of interesting subjects in a QA session afterwards.

I had seen some footage of Titanic 3D a while back (you can read my thoughts here!)and was pretty impressed and seeing this additional footage did nothing but remind me of how incredible Titanic 3D looks. That combined with the already proven Epic storyline is going to be a winning formula. A full rundown of the chat and my thought will be up soon.

The Establishing Shot: Goon ReviewWe finally got our review of the hilarious Goon up. Goon took me by surprise and it has the honour of being the best film I have seen this year it also has the honour of being the only new release I had seen at the time I wrote this.

Sports based films have a real challenge, as we pretty much know the arc - scrappy underdog overcomes challenges to either win, or win you over. And pretty much almost every variation on theme has been attempted in some form or other. Since Rocky the skill in the sport has taken a back seat and become a vehicle to the emotions of the characters motivations aka heart. Which means - that for a sports related film to be relevant they now need to be based on or at least inspired by actual events. Although Goon is based on actual events - The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey by Doug Smith and Adam Frattasio in almost every other regard it differs. Most notably it presents the sport at its heart (of which I no nothing about) as an exciting experience and rather than try show the dark side or the underbelly which the public never sees a standard device for these type of films – it whole heartedly revels in celebration of Ice Hockey and the cringe worthy bloody violence that it wroughts.

The Establishing Shot: Troll Hunter is on DVD & Blu-ray TODAY! Celebrate by entering our competitionWe haven't seen it yet but any film that has Trolls or Troll Hunters in it needs to be celebrated! Hot on the heels of last months quirky Finnish take on Father Christmas with Rare Exports, last week saw the release of the Nordic take on the myth of Trolls with Troll Hunter.

To celebrate the 9th January UK DVD and Blu-ray release of monster hit Troll Hunter we are offering one winner the chance to win an extremely limited edition money can't buy exclusively designed Troll Hunter t-shirt and a copy of Troll Hunter on Blu-ray! One runner up will also win a limited edition Troll Hunter t-shirt!

The Establishing Shot: This weeks Film Releases courtesy of Movie Preview GuideThe Movie Preview guide is a pretty handy breakdown of this weeks and upcoming releases as well as film news. It arrives a little late to include in my usual news updates but this week I was tardy so could include some info from it head over to http://www.moviepreviewguide.com/ to check it out.

The Darkest Hour (3D)The Darkest Hour follows five young people who find themselves stranded in Moscow, fighting to survive in the wake of a devastating alien attack. The 3D action-thriller highlights the classic beauty of Moscow alongside mind-blowing special effects.

War HorseSet against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War, 'War Horse' begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets - British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter - before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man's Land.

TatsumiIn post-war occupied Japan, young Tatsumi's passion for comics eventually becomes a means of supporting his poor family. Already published as a teenager, talented Tatsumi finds even greater inspiration after meeting his idol, famous Disneyesque animator Osamu Tezuka. Despite his steady success, Tatsumi begins to question why Japanese comics should cater to children with cute and whimsical tales and drawings. In 1957, Tatsumi coins the term gekiga (dramatic pictures) and redefines the manga landscape by encouraging an alternative genre for adults. Realistic and disquieting, Tatsumi's work begins to grapple with the darker aspects of life..."

ShameBrandon (Michael Fassbender) is a 30-something man living comfortably in New York balancing a busy job and active social life. When the wayward Sissy (Carey Mulligan), turns up at his apartment unannounced, Brandon's carefully managed lifestyle spirals out of control.

A Useful LifeJorge (45) lives with his parents and has been working at a Film Archive for 25 years. He is a film programmer, he makes technical support, and he conducts the film news show at a radio station in Montevideo. Without any other job experience than working at the Film Archive, Jorge loses his position. A Useful Life explores the way Jorge changes his way of living in order to adapt to the new world that appears to him. After all, maybe 'movies' will help him survive.

The Establishing Shot: In the mailBoca (Boca do Lixo)From the country that brought us intense and gritty cinema such as City of God and Elite Squad comes this thrilling film based on real-life events adapted from the autobiography of gangland boss Hiroito Joanides de Moraes. Hiroito, was infamous as The King of Boca do Lixo (an area downtown São Paulo in the 1950’s notorious for its nightclubs, strip joints, prostitution, bars and drugs).

Video: Boca Trailer

Following the violent murder of his father, in which he was stabbed over forty times with a razor, Hiroito was arrested and accused of the crime, but ultimately not charged. However two months later, and aged just twenty-one, Hiroito bought two guns and moved to Boca do Lixo, fast becoming one of the most successful, dangerous and wanted criminals in Brazil. Boca charts his journey through the violence, the girls, the guns and the drugs as Hiroito becomes one of the most feared and legendary gangsters in Brazil.

Boca release date: Available on DVD and Blu-ray™ from 13th February 2012

Patience (After Sebald)A richly textured essay film on landscape, art, history, life and loss, Patience (After Sebald) offers a unique exploration of the work of internationally acclaimed writer W.G. Max Sebald (1944 -2001) via a walk through East Anglia tracking his most influential book, The Rings of Saturn. The much anticipated new feature by the Grierson Award-winning Director of Joy Division, Patience is the first film about Sebald internationally, marking ten years since the writerâ€™s untimely death, and with contributions from major writers, artists and film-makers.

Video: Patience (After Sebald) Trailer

Patience (After Sebald) release date: 27 January 2012

Patience (After Sebald)Director: Grant GeeStars: Jonathan Pryce

The Establishing Shot: Film NewsWin Tickets To The Worldwide Premiere Of The Woman In Black

THE WOMAN IN BLACK

WORLDWIDE PREMIERE - TUESDAY 24TH JANUARY 2012

Momentum Pictures today announced a competition to win a pair of tickets to the World Premiere of The Woman in Black on Tuesday 24th January 2012 and watch the film alongside the cast and celebrity guests.

To enter, those who come down to the Worldwide Premiere on 24th January 2012 at the Royal Festival Hall dressed as their own interpretation of the Woman in Black will gain access to a special VIP area of the red carpet (numbers permitting. The VIP fan pen for those in costume will operate on a first come first serve basis)

The two best dressed fans will also be selected from the crowd and win the prize!

Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, screenwriter Jane Goldman and director James Watkins will attend the premiere at the Royal Festival Hall.

Universal will mark its 100th anniversary in 2012, and will commemorate its centennial with a yearlong celebration honoring the studio’s rich film history and cultural legacy. The campaign draws its inspiration from Universal’s extraordinary and diverse library of films, many of which will be highlighted throughout the year, and is designed to engage fans of all ages in the art of moviemaking.

A significant element of the centennial includes the extensive restoration of thirteen of the studio’s most beloved titles such as To Kill a Mockingbird, All Quiet on The Western Front, Jaws, The Sting, Out of Africa, Frankenstein, and Schindler’s List.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment will kick off the celebration in January with a special 50th anniversary release of To Kill a Mockingbird, debuting on Blu-rayTM for the first time ever. Throughout the year, Universal will pay tribute to other influential films in the Universal library with special events and Blu-rayTM releases of such iconic classics as Jaws and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial which celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Universal will reveal an updated animated logo tied to the centennial. The animated logo will make its first appearance in front of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax at its premiere in February, and for its U.S. theatrical release beginning March 2nd. (The new static version of this logo is unveiled today and is featured at the top of this release.) Other activities surrounding the studio’s 100th anniversary include a vibrant social media campaign, special events, theme park activities, promotions, and many surprises to engage fans throughout the yearlong celebration.

“This is a proud moment for all of us who’ve had the privilege of working at Universal Pictures,” said Ron Meyer, Universal Studios President and COO. “Our centennial is designed to bring special memories back to longtime movie lovers and fans, and to engage new audiences with our extraordinary library of films for the first time. Our goal, a hundred years later, is to preserve, restore, and continue the iconic legacy of this studio for generations to come.”

Fans and film enthusiasts can start celebrating online today at the official Universal Centennial website, http://Universal100th.com, a one-stop destination dedicated to Universal’s 100 years. The site, as well as a number of social media platforms, will bring the centennial to life online. Universal will be sharing archival content on its brand new Tumblr (http://universal100.tumblr.com/); fans of Universal classics on Facebook will find exclusives and special opportunities across their favorite pages; followers of @UniversalPics on Twitter can find the activities using the hashtag #Universal100; Foursquare users who check in at iconic Universal locations such as the studio and theme parks will be able to unlock special behind-the-scenes tips and content; and for those who are followers of fashion, Universal’s Pinterest account (www.pinterest.com/universal) will be drawing inspiration from favorite films for everyone’s Pinboards, starting with ten inaugural titles of pop-culture classics such as The Breakfast Club, Scarface, Sixteen Candles, Bridget Jones’ Diary and Bridesmaids . These online initiatives will roll out throughout various times of the year and will tie back to the Universal Centennial official site.

In the spring, select fans will have the opportunity to attend a special gala anniversary celebration on the lot featuring many of the filmmakers and artists who shaped the studios history. In addition, the studio will spotlight the 100th Anniversary throughout various worldwide film festivals and other featured events, panels and activities.

Summer In February Starts Principal Photography On Sunday 15th January On Location In CornwallDominic Cooper, Dan Stevens and Emily Browning star in the passionate and tragic true story of love amongst the artists

Dominic Cooper (The Devil’s Double) stars as AJ (later Sir Alfred) Munnings, with Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) as Gilbert Evans and Emily Browning (Sucker Punch) as Florence Carter-Wood, in the colourful story of an Edwardian scandal at the heart of the bohemian Lamorna Group of artists in Cornwall, shortly before the start of the First World War.

Adapted from his own novel by Jonathan Smith, SUMMER IN FEBRUARY, is directed by Christopher Menaul (Prime Suspect) and produced by CrossDay’s Pippa Cross and Janette Day (Vanity Fair) and Apart Films’ Jeremy Cowdrey, with Dan Stevens as executive producer.

Paramount And Cirque Du Soleil To Partner On "Cirque Du Soleil Worlds Away", Written And Directed By Andrew Adamson, And Presented By James CameronStudio to Release the 3D Event Film, Worldwide in 2012

Paramount Pictures and Cirque du Soleil jointly announced today that the studio has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the Cirque du Soleil 3D feature film entitled "Cirque du Soleil Worlds Away". Written and directed by Andrew Adamson ("Shrek," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"), and executive produced by Academy Award ® winning filmmaker James Cameron, the 3D film event features artistic and acrobatic performances from some of the most elaborate Cirque du Soleil productions. The film was produced by Adamson, Aron Warner, Cirque’s Martin Bolduc and Ed Jones and Cary Granat. Vince Pace oversaw the 3D stereo production aspect of the film.

A number of production companies collaborated to bring the film to life. In addition to Cirque, Warner and Adamson’s Strange Weather Productions, Reel FX and Cameron Pace Group all contributed to this groundbreaking production.

"The coupling of filmmaker James Cameron’s groundbreaking 3D visual accomplishments and Andrew Adamson’s beautiful direction, combined with a timeless original story written especially for this movie, will make for a truly amazing movie going experience for audiences of all ages " said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures.

Said Jacques Méthé, Executive Producer, General Manager, Images, Events, Lifestyle of Cirque du Soleil, “This 3D event brings the spectator beyond what they could see at a show, it takes them on the stage. This unique point of view allows the audience to discover the artistic details of our productions and reveal the human spirit that our artists bring to the audience in their performances. Jim and Andrew have masterfully captured what a Cirque du Soleil 3D experience could offer and Paramount will present it to the world.

Star Trek: The Next Generation® – The Next Level Blu-ray Disc™ will be beamed up on 30th January 2012Blu-ray release gives taster of forthcoming Star Trek: The Next Generation series in its 25th anniversary year

Calling all Trekkies – Star Trek: The Next Generation® – The Next Level, from Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS Home Entertainment, will be beaming up on a single Blu-ray disc on 30th January 2012 to give fans a taste of the iconic series to be released in HD later this year.

One of the most popular series in the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: The Next Generation® celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2012. It premiered in first-run syndication during the week of September 28, 1987 and ran through 1994.

The disc will take fans aboard the Starship Enterprise with Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew and includes the feature-length pilot – “Encounter at Farpoint” – as well as two more “fan favourite ” episodes, “The Inner Light” (Season 5) and “Sins of the Father” (Season 3). The single Blu-ray disc will be available for a suggested retail price of £9.99.

All 178 episodes from seven seasons will be transferred to true high-definition 1080p for release over the next two years on Blu-ray.

Set in the 24th century on the Starship Enterprise, about 100 years after the original Star Trek series took place, the series starred Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Jonathan Frakes as Commander William T. Riker, LeVar Burton as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge, Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi, Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data, Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf, Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher and Wil Wheaton as her son Wesley Crusher.

Star Trek: The Next Generation® won numerous accolades, including 18 Emmy® awards, and was the first – and only – syndicated television show to be nominated for the Emmy® for Outstanding Drama Series for its seventh season. It was also ranked #46 on TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time list in 2002.

Transferring Star Trek: The Next Generation® to high-definition presented numerous challenges – The series was originally shot on film and then transferred to videotape, which was used to edit episodes together. In order to create true HD masters, CBS is going back to the original uncut film negative – all 25,000 plus film reels of it – and cutting the episodes together exactly the way they originally aired. The visual effects were all shot on film and will be painstakingly recompositioned, not upconverted from videotape. The newly cut film will then be transferred to true high-definition with 7.1 DTS Master Audio. Denise and Mike Okuda are consulting on the project.

Winning Ghost Story Announced For The Woman In Black YouTube CompetitionThe votes have been closed and counted and the winning video for THE WOMAN IN BLACK’S YouTube competition to find the UK’s spookiest ghost story has been chosen. Budding young writer Nicola Torch, 16, from Lancashire beat 177 other haunting and harrowing tales to become the winning entry with her story ‘Fear of Hue’.

Launched on Halloween by Daniel Radcliffe, the star of upcoming ghost story chiller, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, the competition challenged writers of all ages to submit their own original ghost story video to the film’s official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/thewomaninblackmovie).

The competition was a resounding success and the ghostly tales were shortlisted to ten finalists based on the following judging criteria: creativity, originality and writing style.

Nicky’s video made it to the final 10 shortlisted entries going through to the public vote, and winning a trip to attend the Worldwide Premiere of THE WOMAN IN BLACK on 24th January 2012. Her winning story will be read out by Daniel Radcliffe and included in the bonus features of THE WOMAN IN BLACK DVD.

Talking about winning the competition, Nicky says, “I entered but I had no idea I would win, I was happy enough to get in the top 10 and I can't wait to see Daniel read my story!”

Daniel Radcliffe announced the competition closing with a message for all those who took part in the ghost stories initiative. He was particularly impressed with the standard of entries for the competition, adding “I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has submitted their ghost stories over the last few weeks. The quality of the entries has been absolutely amazing.”

THE WOMAN IN BLACK will be released across the UK and Ireland by Momentum Pictures, an Alliance Films company, on 10th February 2012.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK is based on the world famous ghost story by Susan Hill. The film follows the fate of Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a lawyer who is forced to leave his young son and travel to a remote village to attend to the affairs of the recently deceased owner of Eel Marsh House.

Working alone in the old mansion, Kipps begins to uncover the town’s tragic and tortured secrets and his fears escalate when he discovers that local children have been disappearing under mysterious circumstances. When those closest to him are threatened, Kipps must find a way to break the cycle of terror.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK also stars Ciaran Hinds (TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY) and Janet McTeer (TUMBLEWEEDS) and was adapted from Susan Hill’s best-selling novel for the screen by Jane Goldman (KICK ASS) and directed by James Watkins (EDEN LAKE).

Hailing from the new age genre of Hindi cinema that presents a fresh and youth-targeted perspective, ‘Ekk Deewana Tha’ retells the classic, intense love story with fresh impetus for a new generation of cinemagoers, releasing through Twentieth Century Fox on 17th February 2012.

‘Ekk Deewana Tha’ weaves an emotive and powerful tale of how the path to true love never runs smoothly and that following your dreams comes at a price as it explores the highs and lows of being in love and the pleasures and pains associated with it.

Making her Bollywood debut in the female lead after a successful run in Tamil Cinema is British actress and model Amy Jackson, who is also former Miss Liverpool, Miss Teen World, Miss Teen Great Britain, and Miss England runner up. The English starlet, who is making waves with her film career in India, stars opposite Bollywood heartthrob and youth icon Prateik Babbar (‘Dhobi Ghat’, ‘Dum Maaro Dum’, ‘Aarakshan’).

The entire film is a breath-taking combination of a story told through the eyes of the critically acclaimed Master Director Gautham Vasudev Menon set against the exotic backdrop of Kerala, Agra, Jaipur and Mumbai. The film is a reworking of Menon’s path-breaking Tamil screen hit, ‘Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa’. His other works include the Tamil blockbuster ‘Khakha Khakha’ which was also reinterpreted in Bollywood for the Box Office hit, ‘Force’.

‘Ek Deewana Tha’ is offset by a simply outstanding and memorable composition by multi-Oscar winner, A.R. Rahman (‘Slumdog Millionaire’) with lyrics penned by India’s most popular and sought-after lyricist, Javed Akhtar.

Synopsis: ‘Ekk Deewana Tha’ is the story of Sachin (Prateik Babbar), an engineer who has managed to complete his degree, but who is completely obsessed with the world of cinema and films. Hanging around at film sets, waiting outside directors' offices and spending time with an assistant director-friend is what makes most of his days.

And just when life was churning its monotonous cycle, Sachin and his family shift to a temporary home in Juhu and it is in this new place, that he sees 'her' for the first time – Jessie (Amy Jackson). It is love at first-sight for Sachin and when he finds out that she lives in the house upstairs, he leaves no chance to watch her, catch her attention or generally try to make conversation with her.

Jessie is a Malayalee Christian with strict orthodox parents. To make matters worse, she is also a year older to Sachin. All the odds seem stacked against him. And finally one day, when pushed into a corner, he confesses to her that he likes her. But Jessie is headstrong and refuses to accept that she has any feelings for him. She insists that they should be friends and that anything further would make life very difficult for her. And yet, she feels the need to meet him and talk to him.

A beautifully essayed love story-musical between the quintessential romantic Sachin and the confused yet headstrong Jessie, ‘Ekk Deewana Tha’ is an intense, yet feel good love story between the two lovers as they understand the pangs and pleasure of first love while battling with the situations that life has placed them in, making Sachin question - of all the people in the world why did I fall in love with Jessie?

‘Ekk Deewana Tha’ is released through Twentieth Century Fox on 17th February 2012.

Troll Hunter shortlisted on the BAFTA LonglistCongratulations to director Andre Ovredal and to the producers, cast and crew of the brilliant Troll Hunter, which has been longlisted in the first round of voting for BAFTA's Best Film Not In The English Language award category. The final list of nominations will be announced on the morning of 17th January. Further information on this year's BAFTA Awards can be found at BAFTA's website http://www.bafta.org/press/2012-british-academy-film-awards-longlist,174,SNS.html.

BAFTA Film Awards Longlist ReleasedThe Longlist for the Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2012 was released 6 January.

The Longlist is the result of Round One voting by members of the Academy. With 285 films entered this year, the first round of voting reduced the list of eligible films to 15 in each category. Round Two voting, which opens today, will reduce these 15 contenders down to the five nominations in each category. Appearing on the Longlist does not constitute a nomination.

Over 6300 members of the Academy vote in three rounds to decide the Longlist, Nominations and Winners. All members vote in the first two rounds for all categories barring Documentary, Film Not in the English Language and Outstanding British Film, which are voted for by Chapters. The asterisks in the Longlist denote the top five selection of the relevant Chapter. In the final round, winners are voted for by specialist Chapters in all categories except for Best Film, Outstanding British Film, Documentary and Film Not in the English Language and the four performance categories, which are voted for by all members.

Nominations in all categories will be announced on Tuesday 17 January. The winners will be announced at the Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 12 February.

The Establishing Shot: Film Making CompetitionsSundance London Short Film CompetitionAs part of Sundance London, and in partnership with Greenwich Council and Ravensbourne, we are launching a short film competition with the winning entry being shown as part of the Sundance London short film programme.

To celebrate the competition and festival links to Greenwich, the place where time began and the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the competition theme will focus on time with the title ‘Story of our Time’

The challenge is to produce a three to five minute short film around the theme of ‘Story of Our Time’.

Entrants can interpret ‘Story of Our Time’ in any way they choose and films can be in documentary, animation, live action, comedy, drama or any other format or genre.

Short Cuts Returns…In 2012Cliff Productions are proud hosts of Buckinghamshire’s very own film festival – dedicated to screening new British Short Films.

The main venue for the festival screenings is the prestigious National Film & Television School in Beaconsfield. Full details of programmes and schedule of events will be released in February 2012.

CALL FOR ENTRIES – DEADLINE EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Calling all UK-based filmmakers…we are open to accept your short films for consideration. We’ve had many requests from our FaceBook and twitter fans for the deadline to be extended to allow more time after Christmas to get their entries in.So, we have been able to extend the deadline to 5pm on Wednesday 18th January 2012.

The Establishing Shot: Film SchoolPower To The Pixel Announces The Pixel Lab 2012If you want to develop your projects and business across several media platforms and receive mentoring from the leading cross-media experts in the world, then the Pixel Lab is the workshop for you!

Power to the Pixel’s leading European business development course is now open for entries! The Pixel Lab is a unique four-month European business development course, bringing together experienced media professionals from different disciplines and industries – film, broadcast, online, mobile, gaming, advertising.

Now in its third year, Power to the Pixel brings its leading cross-media course, The Pixel Lab, to Potsdam, Germany from 1 – 7 July 2012. With support from the Media Programme of the European Union, federal funding body Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, TorinoFilmLab and UK skills and training body Skillset via its Film Skills Fund.

The Pixel Lab is a unique, project-focused business development course for European film and media professionals. Participants will develop the skills necessary to develop, finance and distribute cross-media stories, with a focus on future proofing project development, company growth and competitiveness in the international multi-platform marketplace.

Power to the Pixel will select up to 40 producers, storytellers, decision-makers and executives to attend an immersive six-day workshop from 1 – 7 July. Training is led by top business and creative innovators from the cross-media world.

Producers attending the Lab with a cross-media project receive distance mentoring over the summer (July – September) to help take their project to the next level. For the final section of the Lab, project producers will attend a four-day session in London, October 2012, running in tandem with Power to the Pixel’s annual Cross-Media Forum. During this last stage they will receive pitch presentation training, culminating in project presentations to select invited industry guests and an afternoon of business meetings with financiers and potential partners. One producer will be awarded The Pixel Lab Cash Prize, judged on the quality of their final day pitch.

The Establishing Shot: For your calendarBOND IN MOTION opens this weekAfter months of suspense, The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu and EON Productions are pleased to announce that BOND IN MOTION will be unveiled on 17th January 2012.

The exhibition will showcase 50 of the best loved and most iconic James Bond vehicles in celebration of the 50th year of James Bond.

BOND IN MOTION will run from January to December 2012 at Beaulieu. It will feature a range of vehicles which have appeared in Bond films over the years including cars, boats, motorbikes, sleds, jets and many more.

In addition, 2012 also marks the 40th anniversary of the world-famous National Motor Museum, a fitting year to be hosting a major new exhibition marking 50 years since the first James Bond film was screened.

Blood Car screeningBizarre continues its ever-popular Cut! Film Club evenings on Thursday, 19th January 2012 with an exclusive free screening of the hilarious BLOOD CAR, a potent mix of surrealist humour, sharp social commentary, kinky sex and buckets of blood that Arrow In The Head has called "the best goddamn indie movie ever". This is your chance to see BLOOD CAR for free and a whole month before anyone else as the film doesn't open in UK cinemas until 24th February. The screening will take place at The Horse Hospital, Colonnade, London WC1N 1JD. Doors will open at 7.30 for an 8.00 p.m. start. To be added to the Guest List for the event, simply e-mail your name and contact details to billychainsaw@blackthorncommunications.com no later than 17th January. Successful applicants will receive confirmation by e-mail shortly before the event.

The Establishing Shot: Independent SpotlightPowderFrom the makers of Awaydays comes Powder. The story of Liverpool four piece The Grams, Powder captures all the energy and excitement of a band breaking through, complete with all the trappings of sex, drugs and band rivalries.Filmed on location at V Festival and Ibiza and adapted from the bestselling novel by Kevin Sampson, the former manager of The Farm, Powder has all the ingredients to commit the machinations of the music industry to screen.

Video: Powder Trailer

Alongside the cast of young British acting talent including Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones) and Liam Boyle (Awaydays) are The Rascals’ members Greg Mighall and Joe Edwards. Together they make up The Grams, a fictional band that is given an authentic identity thanks to an originalsoundtrack of new songs written and performed by Starsailor’s James Walsh. The soundtrack of Powder was released on digital download to coincide with the cinema release at the end of the festival season last year.

Exclusive footage on the Powder DVD includes music videos of The Grams, and their rivals Transbad Saints, and vox pop interviews with celebrities such as Alesha Dixon, who rate The Grams following their live performance at V Festival.

Powder is available in-store from ASDA, HMV and all good etailers from 16th January 2012

PowderA dark comedy about an emerging band's experiences in the UK music scene.

The Establishing Shot: Trailer of the Week – Prometheus TrailerWith so many previous false starts and rumours I was unsure if Prometheus was real and the master of modern Science Fiction would be returning. But it would seem that Sir Ridley Scott is indeed back! And how - Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce, Ben Foster, Sean Harris.

After watching and re-watching the Prometheus Trailer and teaser 1 June cannot come soon enough. My understanding is that leaked pics have been flooding the net. I’ll give them a miss in favour of enjoying Prometheus as spoiler free as I can.

There is much speculation about whether Prometheus is related to Alien? Well Sir Ridley has already told us that it is set in the same universe and clearly events depicted in the Prometheus trailer take place prior to the events in Alien. The Prometheus trailer clearly shows the Space Jockey / Mala'kak / Mundus gubernavi / Universal Pilot / The Pilot discovered on LV-426 in Alien as well as his ship crashing onto the planetoid.

Video: Prometheus Trailer

Prometheus release date: 1 June 2012 (UK)A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

The Establishing Shot: Music discovered this week: Liquid Swords - GZAHaving watched Yamada: Way of The Samurai last week. I was feeling nostalgic for some old school Samurai cross over music and after initially swinging by Ghost Dog I dug out my GZA Liquid Swords album. Which heavily samples the brutal Manga Samurai series Lone Wolf and Cub.

Produced by GZA one of the Wu-Tang Clan this first track from Liquid Swords lays down the tone with an intro from Shogun Assasin, /backing vocals from RZA and samples Mercy, Mercy, Mercy and Groovin by Willie Mitchell.

Video: GZA - Liquid Swords

The Establishing Shot: Upcoming Home ReleasesJanuary Releases

3D Sex & Zen: Extreme EcstasyThe erotic action epic that is breaking box office records all over the world.is coming to DVD in January. An adaptation of the classic novel The Carnal Prayer Mat, the film follows a young Ming Dynasty scholar named Wei Yangsheng on an eye-opening journey of sexual discovery. Directed by Christopher Sun and produced by Stephen Shiu, the executive producer of its predecessor film Sex and Zen, the film is "The World's First 3-D Erotic Film". In Hong Kong the film beat the opening days grosses of ‘Avatar’ and ‘Titanic’ with an opening day gross of $US351K. The film continues to play and has racked up a staggering $HK25 million at the Box Office.

The film comes to DVD on January 2nd in a special edition containing both 2D and 3D be see in its full 3D version.

3D Sex & Zen: Extreme Ecstasy on DVD 2 January, 2012

Troll HunterOne of the biggest hits with audiences at this year’s Film4 Frightfest and a major critical success during its subsequent UK theatrical release in September 2011. The debut feature from Norwegian director Andre Ovredal, this “original and highly assured fusion of B-movie lore and fairytale terror” (The Hollywood Reporter) combines the vision of “Where The Wild Things Are” with the faux-documentary, found-footage stylings of “Cloverfield”, “REC” and “The Blair Witch Project” to produce an “enormously entertaining” (Variety) and suspense-filled creature feature that the Daily Star rated as 'one of the finest monster movies ever" and Total Film described as being “like David Attenborough taking a stroll into Roald Dahl’s brain.”Following the deaths of a couple of tourists and a spate of livestock mutilations in the mountains and forests of Norway, the government’s official line is that rogue bears are responsible. But the local hunters don’t agree and neither does a trio of college students who have been stalking an alleged poacher, Hans, with the intention of making a documentary film about him. Their persistence in pursuing Hans finally pays off when the filmmakers become victims of a night-time attack by something that is obviously much larger than a bear. In the aftermath, Hans agrees to an interview in which he reveals the truth regarding his occupation – he is actually a government employed troll hunter. Sceptical, the students volunteer to assist this unlikely hero in his work on the understanding that they will be allowed to document the proceedings and publicly reveal the heavily guarded secrets of a race of creatures thought only to exist in fairly tales.Troll Hunter release date: On DVD and Blu-ray 9 January, 2012

Arrietty Discover an amazing adventure that’s unlike any other. From Studio Ghibli, the creators of Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo, Arrietty is an enchanting tale of “little” people with a big heart, released on DVD and Blu-ray on 9th January 2012 courtesy of STUDIOCANAL.

Beneath the floorboards of a sprawling mansion set in a magical, overgrown garden in the suburbs of Tokyo, tiny 14-year-old Arrietty lives with her equally tiny parents. The house is occupied by two old ladies, who are absolutely unaware of the existence of their miniature tenants. Arrietty and her family live by “borrowing”. Everything they have, they borrow or make from the things they have borrowed. Essentials like gas, water and food. Tables, chairs, cooking utensils. And treats - a sugar cube here, a scrap of material there. But only a little each time, so the ladies do not notice.

A 12-year-old boy, Sho, moves into the mansion while he waits for urgent medical treatment in the city. Arrietty ’s parents have always warned her: “Never let humans see you.” Once seen, little people always have to move on. But the adventurous Arrietty doesn’t listen, and Sho discovers her. The two begin to confide in each other and, before long, a friendship begins to blossom...

Based on Mary Norton’s much-loved children’s classic ‘The Borrowers’, Arrietty is a beautiful story of childhood and friendship from the Academy Award® winning anime master Hayao Miyazaki, and the directorial debut of Studio Ghibli’s star animator Hiromasa Yonebayashi.

Arrietty release date: Out to own on DVD, Blu-ray Double play & Limited Edition Collector’s Edition – 9 January 2012

Life, Above All 12 year-old Chanda learns of a rumour that spreads like wildfire through her small, dust-ridden village near Johannesburg. It destroys her family and forces her mother to flee. Sensing that the gossip stems from prejudice and superstition, Chanda leaves home and school in search of her mother and the truth. LIFE, ABOVE ALL is an emotional and universal drama about a young girl (stunningly performed by first-time-actress Khomotso Manyaka) who fights the fear and shame that have poisoned her community. The film captures the enduring strength of loyalty and a courage powered by the heart. Directed by South African filmmaker Oliver Schmitz ("Mapantsula", "Paris, je’taime"), it is based on the international award winning and best-selling novel, “Chanda’s Secrets” by Allan Stratton.Life, Above All release date: On DVD and VOD 23 January, 2012

Too Fat For 40Following the huge success of fan favourites "An Evening With Kevin Smith" and "An Evening With Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder", the acclaimed filmmaker, writer, actor and raconteur responsible for such diverse movies as "Red State", "Cop Out", "Zack And Miri Make A Porno" and "Clerks II" releases his first new stand-up DVD in five years in the form of TOO FAT FOR 40. Filmed on the evening of Kevin Smith's 40th birthday before a crowd of rabid fans at the Count Basie Theatre in his home town on Red Bank, New Jersey, this comedy special comes to DVD on 23rd January 2012 (coinciding with the release of "Red State" on DVD and Blu-ray) as a two-disc edition featuring the full, uncut and unexpurgated three-and-a-half-hour version of Smith's performance and including a Bonus DVD loaded with extra features including additional encore Q&A footage and a look behind the scenes.

Too Fat For 40 On DVD 23rd January 2012

Cine Asia Presents Hong Kong Legends Bruce Lee arriving on DVD 23 January, 2012From 1999 to 2006, Hong Kong Legends brought the biggest films of Asian cinema to DVD in the UK. Now, Cine-Asia the UK’s leading Asian action cinema label is reissuing them under the ‘CINE-ASIA presents HKL’ banner, bringing together the two greatest catalogues of Asian cinema under one ultimate label! This

The Big Boss 2 Disc Ultimate Edition DVDWitness the movie debut of the greatest action star that ever lived as Bruce Lee tear up the screen in The Big Boss.

Bruce Lee is Cheng, the new boy at an ice factory, which is in fact a front for a drug trafficking ring. Having lost friends and family to this gang, Cheng decides to bring them to justice with his deadly and incredible displays of Wing Chun. However, Cheng is going to have to survive a factory of henchmen before he can even challenge the big boss in a fight to the death. Hong Kong Legends presents this Bruce Lee classic with a new high-definition transfer that showcases the movie like never before. We also explore, through a raft of new special features, how Bruce Lee returned to Hong Kong having failed to crack America, only to become an international star through THE BIG BOSS. This tale of courage, spirit and self-belief is every bit as exciting as the film itself, which represents the birth of a true screen legend.

Game of Death (2 Disc DVD)Featuring the legendary one-on-one nunchaku battle between Bruce Lee and top Jeet Kune Do Instructor Dan Inosanto.Directed by Enter the Dragon’s Robert Clouse, the full uncut 1978 version features Bruce Lee as Billy Lo, a martial arts master on the run from a vicious crime syndicate, who will stop at nothing to secure his formidable talents. In addition is an incredible 40 minute edit of the amazing pagoda fight sequence in accordance with Bruce Lee’s original script notes from 1972. Much of the footage featured was lost for over two decades in the vaults of Golden Harvest studios. Packed with over 3 hours of stunning DVD extras and showcasing a brand new restored and digitally re-mastered anamorphic transfer, this definitive Platinum Edition is the most complete tribute to the Game of Death phenomenon available anywhere in the World!

Game of Death 2 The ultimate fighting tribute to martial arts legend Bruce Lee. From Ng See Yuen, the legendary producer of Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow and Drunken Master, this non-stop martial arts showcase is a dynamic tribute to Bruce Lee and the GAME OF DEATH phenomenon. Travelling to Japan to investigate the mysterious murder of his brother, Bobby Lo (Tong Lung) discovers a secret trail, which leads to the mysterious Tower of Death. A forbidden fortress, buried hundreds of feet under the earth, it’s deadly secret is guarded by elite warriors, each championing a different style of combat. To bring his brother’s killer to justice, and discover the Tower’s secret, Lo must first run the gauntlet of death, from which no-one has ever returned alive! Taking over three years to complete, GAME OF DEATH 2 is choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping, action-director of The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and features the formidable kicking skills of legendary Korean Tae-kwon-do master, Hwang Jang Lee (Drunken Master).Now restored and re-mastered for the first time ever!

Tinker Tailor Soldier SpySTUDIOCANAL are pleased to announce the Home Entertainment release of number one UK box office success TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, a tense, cerebral and captivating adaptation of John le Carrés genre-defining bestseller. Set at the height of The Cold War, with international relations poisoned with paranoia and deception, Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), codenamed ‘The Circus’, is striving to keep pace with other countries attempts at counter-espionage, and keep the UK secure. The Chief of the Circus, ‘Control’ (John Hurt, The Elephant Man, Brighton Rock) personally sends dedicated agent Jim Prideaux (Mark Strong, Kick Ass, The Guard) into Hungary, but the mission goes bloodily awry, forcing Control out of his position, and the circus, along with trusted lieutenant George Smiley (Gary Oldman, The Dark Knight, The Fifth Element), a career spy with razor-sharp senses. However when disgraced agent Rikki Tarr (Tom Hardy, Inception, Warriors) reappears with devastating information that The Circus has long been compromised by a mole working for the soviets, Smiley is secretly conscripted back into service and the murky world of espionage. Tasked with investigating which of his trusted former colleagues has chosen to betray him and their country, Smiley narrows his search to four suspects - all experienced, urbane, successful agents - but past histories, rivalries and friendships make it far from easy to pinpoint the man who is eating away at the heart of the British establishment. Even before the startling truth is revealed, the emotional and physical tolls on the players enmeshed in the deadly international spy game will escalate, as the hunt leaves a trail or murder, doubt and double crosses in it’s wake. TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY has been made for the screen by Tomas Alfredson (Let The Right One In) with the screenplay adapted by the writing team of Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan.Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy release date January 30, 2012 On DVD, Double-Play (including Steelbook edition) & EST January 30, 2012

Also available in limited deluxe double play edition with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy novel, original soundtrack, bespoke notepad, playing cards, onset photographs and exclusive film cell

DriveDrive is the story of a Hollywood stunt driver by day (Ryan Gosling), a loner by nature, who moonlights as a top-notch getaway driver-for-hire in the criminal underworld. He finds himself a target for some of LA's most dangerous men after agreeing to aid the husband of his beautiful neighbour, Irene (Carey Mulligan). When the job goes dangerously awry, the only way he can keep Irene and her son alive is to do what he does best - Drive.Drive release date: On DVD and Blu-ray 30 January, 2012!

Yamada: Way Of The Samurai Get ready for hard-hitting, hi-impact fight action from the cinematic tradition that brought you Ong Bak and The Warrior King.

Set in the ancient Kingdom of Ayothaya, this incredible true story brings to life the adventures of Yamada Nagamasa, a young Japanese Samurai warrior, who gave up his homeland to protect the sovereignty of the Thai people.

Betrayed and left for dead by treacherous Japanese forces, he finds a new family in a remote village and masters the devastating fighting art of Muay Boran (Thai boxing).

Fearless, he ascends to the royal bodyguard of King Naresuan The Great, but will soon face his greatest ever battle against the elite Japanese warriors he once regarded as brothers.Yamada: Way Of The Samurai release date: 30 January, 2012 on DVD & Blu-ray

Four Flies On Grey VelvetGoing about his everyday life of band rehearsals and socialising with his wife, Nina (Farmer), and their hip friends, rock drummer Roberto Tobias (Brandon) notices he is constantly being followed by a strange man dressed in black. He decides to turn the tables on his stalker and follows him into an abandoned theatre, where a confrontation between the two ends with Roberto accidentally stabbing the man, who falls into the orchestra, apparently dead. Suddenly, a flash of light alerts Roberto to a figure in the upper wings of the theatre, where a mysterious person wearing a bizarre puppet mask and brandishing a camera has been taking photos of the fatal struggle. Roberto flees the scene, but the next day receives the dead man’s ID card in the post. Naturally assuming it has been sent by the unknown witness, he becomes immediately concerned by the lack of any blackmail demands and is haunted by the question of what it is the masked figure wants from him. Roberto’s fear and paranoia increase, and the mystery deepens, when his and Nina’s housemaid is found murdered in a local park and it becomes apparent that an intruder has had access to their apartment.

Four Flies On Grey Velvet (cert. 15) will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on 30th January 2012.

SashaA perfect watch for a Valentine’s night in, Dennis Todorovic’s quirky comedy combines the heady passions of classical music with the screwball antics of an eccentric family in crisis.

Sasha (Sacha Kekez) is a young, handsome musical wunderkind living in Cologne with his immigrant family. He also has a very secret crush on his sexy piano teacher, Mr. Weber (Tim Bergmann, Regular Guys). When the man of Sasha’s dreams announces plans to move away, his adoring young student must grow up fast and come to terms with not just his own true feelings, but also his homophobic family, a 'girlfriend' wanting more than he can give, and his budding sexuality. A stellar cast leads this refreshing take on the coming-out story. Hilarious romantic mishaps and the ups and downs of finding one’s own way are brought to the screen with a unique style and verve that has won the hearts, and ears, of audiences at film festivals the world over.

Sasha DVD release date: January 30th

Perfect SenseFollowing its critically acclaimed UK theatrical release in October 2011, the apocalyptic sci-fi fable, Perfect Sense, starring Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge; Star Wars; Trainspotting) and Eva Green (Casino Royale; The Dreamers) comes to DVD on 30th January 2012 having been hailed as "thrillingly ambitious, ecstatically romantic, utterly unexpected" (Time Out, Four Star review) and as "a touching, emotionally resonant and beautifully executed spin on humanity's final moments that will hit you in the head and heart" (SFX Magazine, Four-and-a-half Star review).

Perfect Sense on DVD 30th January 2012

The Establishing Shot: Week 2 2012 Film News Round-upLast week on The Establishing Shot: Tinker Tailor Exclusive! Title of Tinker Tailor sequel confirmed and decoding Tinker Tailor with the film’s makers, Titanic 3D Footage and QA session with Producer Jon Landau, Goon Review, Troll Hunter is on DVD & Blu-ray TODAY! Celebrate by entering our competition, UK Top 10 Films, This weeks Film Releases, The Darkest Hour (3D), War Horse, Tatsumi, Shame, A Useful Life, BFI London Film Festival films on release in January, Boca (Boca do Lixo), Patience (After Sebald), Win Tickets To The Worldwide Premiere Of The Woman In Black, Universal Pictures Celebrates 100 Years Of Movie Memories With Yearlong Centennial Celebration, Summer In February Starts Principal Photography On Sunday 15th January On Location In Cornwall, Paramount And Cirque Du Soleil To Partner On "Cirque Du Soleil Worlds Away", Written And Directed By Andrew Adamson, And Presented By James Cameron, Star Trek: The Next Generation® – The Next Level Blu-ray Disc™ will be beamed up on 30th January 2012, Winning Ghost Story Announced For The Woman In Black YouTube Competition, Miss England Runner Up, Amy Jackson, makes Bollywood debut in Oscar winner A.R. Rahman's Musical 'Ekk Deewana, Troll Hunter shortlisted on the BAFTA Longlist, BAFTA Film Awards Longlist Released, Film Making Competitions, Sundance London Short Film Competition, Short Cuts Returns…In 2012, Film School, Power To The Pixel Announces The Pixel Lab 2012, BOND IN MOTION opens this week, Blood Car screening, Powder, Prometheus Trailer, Liquid Swords – GZA, 3D Sex & Zen: Extreme Ecstasy, Troll Hunter, Arrietty, Life, Above All, Too Fat For 40, Cine Asia Presents Hong Kong Legends Bruce Lee, The Big Boss 2, Game of Death, Game of Death 2, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Drive, Yamada: Way Of The Samurai, Four Flies On Grey Velvet, Sasha, Perfect Sense